Antoinette Perry
A Broadway dynamo whose name lives on through theatre's highest honor, the Tony Awards, which she helped create.
1888–1946 (age 58)·American actress and director·Birthday: June 27·The Lost Generation
Biography
Antoinette Perry, known to all as 'Tony,' was a force of nature in American theatre long before the awards bearing her nickname existed. She began as a successful actress in the early 1900s but found her true calling behind the scenes as a director and producer, a rarity for a woman at the time. Her leadership during World War II was transformative; as co-founder and secretary of the American Theatre Wing, she spearheaded the Stage Door Canteen, providing entertainment and comfort for millions of servicemen. It was this work that cemented her role as a central administrator and advocate for the theatre community. After her death in 1946, her colleagues sought a fitting memorial. They renamed the American Theatre Wing's awards for excellence on Broadway the 'Tony Awards,' ensuring that her spirit of dedication, hospitality, and showmanship would be celebrated for as long as the curtain rises.
The Lost Generation
1883–1900
Came of age during World War I. Disillusioned by the carnage, they rejected the certainties of the Victorian era and built modernism from the wreckage — in art, literature, and politics.
Antoinette was born in 1888, placing them squarely in The Lost Generation. The events that shaped this generation — world wars, depression, and rapid industrialization — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Antoinette Was Born
The biggest hits of 1888
Antoinette's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1888Born
President: Grover Cleveland
1893Started school
World's Columbian Exposition dazzles Chicago
President: Grover Cleveland
1901Became a teenager
Queen Victoria dies, ending the Victorian era
President: Theodore Roosevelt
1904Could drive
New York City opens its first subway line
President: Theodore Roosevelt
1906Could vote
San Francisco earthquake devastates the city
President: Theodore Roosevelt
1909Turned 21
Robert Peary claims to reach the North Pole
President: William Howard Taft
1918Turned 30
World War I ends; Spanish flu pandemic kills millions
President: Woodrow Wilson
1928Turned 40
Alexander Fleming discovers penicillin; Mickey Mouse debuts
President: Calvin Coolidge"Ol' Man River" — Paul WhitemanBest Picture: Wings
1938Turned 50
Kristallnacht and the escalation toward WWII
Gas: $0.20/galHome: $2,850Min wage: $0.25/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Begin the Beguine" — Artie ShawBest Picture: You Can't Take It with You
1946Died at 58
United Nations holds its first General Assembly
Gas: $0.21/galHome: $5,150Min wage: $0.40/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Prisoner of Love" — Perry ComoBest Picture: The Best Years of Our Lives
Key Achievements
- Co-founded and served as secretary of the American Theatre Wing, a major service and advocacy organization.
- Directed the hugely successful Stage Door Canteen program during World War II.
- Was one of the first prominent female directors and producers on Broadway.
- Became the namesake of the Tony Awards, established in her honor in 1947.
Did You Know?
The nickname 'Tony' awards was suggested by her friend and fellow Wing member, journalist Isabelle Stevenson.
She made her stage debut at age 17 in a touring production of 'The Music Master.'
She was a founding member of the American Theatre Council, a precursor to the actors' union.
She directed the Broadway premiere of 'Harvey,' the play about the invisible rabbit, in 1944.
“The curtain must go up, no matter what stands in the way.”
